Nut-cracking device.



J. WAGHOWIEZ.

v NUT CRACKING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 16, 1912.

Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

11V VEN T 0R. J new/mf WITNESSES:

A TTORNE Y6 COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH $0.. WASHINGTON. D c.

marten stares earner @FFTQE.

JAKOB WACI-IOWIEZ, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

NUT-CRACKING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Get. 15, 1912.

Application filed April 16, 1912; Serial No. 691,083.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, Janos Wnorrowrnz, residing at Detroit, in the county of W' ayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Nut- Gracking Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to a nut cracking device, and the primary object of my invention is to provide a device that can be conveniently used for holding a mirror, a comb, a watch and collar buttons.

Another object of this invention is to provide a nut cracking device having a pivoted cracking lever that serves functionally as one of the cover plates of the device and the cover plate has a pivoted arm that permits of suitable leverage being obtained when cracking a nut.

A further object of this invention is to provide a household article consisting of comparatively few parts, inexpensive to manufacture and highly flicient for the purposes for which they are intended.

With the above and other objects in View the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter specifically described and then claimed, and reference will now be had to the drawing, wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of the inner side of one of the detached covers of the nut cracking device. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the body of the device with the cover thereof removed. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the inner side of another detached cover of the device. Fig. 4: is an elevation of the opposite side of the body'from that shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the device in an open position, and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional View of the same.

A device in accordance with this invention comprises an oblong rectangular body 1 having longitudinal compartments 2 formed therein in which can be placed various kinds of articles. The formation of the longi tudinal compartments 2 comprises a longitudinal rib 3, and this rib has a longitudinal slote extending from a point centrally of the rib to the end of the body. The side edges of the rib 3, adjacent to the slot 4 are beveled, as at- 5 whereby the fingers can be easily inserted in the compartments 2, and the rib 3 at a point intermediate the ends 8 adapted to normally fit in the slot 4, said ratchet bar or rack being raised out of said slotby the fingers gripping the ratchet bar at the cut-away portion 6 of the rib 3. The

rib 3, adjacent to the end of the slot 4 has recesses 9 and 10, the former accommodating a small nut and the latter a large nut.

Pivotally connected to one end of the body 1, preferably by hinged members 11 is a cracking lever 12 corresponding in plan to the shape of the body 1, said lever serving functionally as a closure or lid for the compartments 2 of the body 1. The lever 12 has a longitudinal slot 13 with the walls of said slot connected by a Web 14, said web being of a less depth than the walls of the slot 13. The slot 13 extends from the free edge of the lever 12 to a point in proximity to the hinged edge thereof, and the inner edges of the slot 13, at the closed end thereof are notched or serrated, as at 15 to engage the shell of a nut placed in either of the recesses 9 and 10. Pivotally mounted in the open end of the slot 13 by a transverse pin 15 is an arm 16. This arm has the outer end thereof provided with a tooth 17 and the inner endthereof is beveled, as at 18 to engage the end beveled wall of the slot 13, whereby the arm in a closed position can lie flush with the outer surface of the lever 12. The inner side of the arm 16 is cut away, as at 19 to provide clearance for the web 14. Hinged to the opposite side of the body 1 and at the opposite end from the hinged members 11 is a cover or holder 20 having the inner face thereof provided with a recess 21 for a mirror 22, the recess 21 being located adjacent to the free end of said cover. The opposite end of the cover has a pocket 23 for a watch and the lower edges of the pocket are slotted, as at 24 to accommodate collar buttons. To provide clearance for the heads of collar buttons, the body 1 is provided with openings 25, thereby permitting of the cover or lid being closed upon the body 1. The body 1 has the face thereof confronting the cover 20 provided with an oblong recess 26 adapted to accommodate a comb.

When it is desired to use the nut cracker, the lever 12 is swung to an open position 16 is then placed in engagement with one of the teeth of the ratchet bar and by lower-' ing the outer end of the arm, suitable pressure can be brought to bear upon the lever 12 whereby the nut will be cracked or crushed. In this operation the pin 15 serves as a fulcrum for the arm 16 and through the medium of the plurality of teeth carried by the ratchet bar or rack, nuts of various sizes vcan be cracked or crushed. 7

From the foregoing it will be observed that the cover 20 serves functionally as a holder for various articles, also the body 1, and that when the three hinged parts of the device are closed a rectangular structure is provided that is compact and can be easily and suitably ornamented. 7

What I claim is In a nut-cracking device, a body having recesses formed therein adapted to receive a nut, a rack having one end pivotally mounted in said body and adapted to have the 0pposite end thereof swung from said body, a cracking lever having one end plvotally con-' nected to said body and adapted to swing upon said body, and an arm pivotally mounted in said lever and adapted to engage Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Tatents,

' Washington, D. G. 1 

